Add setting to (permanently) disable speed camera warnings (they're illegal in some countries) #8945

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opened 2024-08-13 09:27:43 +00:00 by TheM1k3y · 3 comments

TheM1k3y commented

2024-08-13 09:27:43 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

⚠ Have you searched for similar, already existing issues?
Yes

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

In my legislature (Germany) it is illegal to use a device or app that warns the user about speed cameras.

Describe the ideal solution

Add a setting to disable map markers and TTS warnings for speed cameras, optionally with geofencing for a country.
It might also be a good idea to add a mode to permanently disable it and showing the timestamp when it was disabled.

A menu structure could look like this:

"Warn about speed cameras" (selection menu):

everywhere
configure per region
never

If "configure per region" is selected, show a sub menu with the list of (downloaded) map regions and provide a toggle per region.

If "never" is selected in the top level setting or some regions are disabled, provide an extra button to lock the currently disabled regions. This setting should not be resettable without clearing the apps data. There should then also be a "Report" button, that lists all regions that were permanently disabled and the timestamp when they were disabled.

It might also be a good idea to show a popup on launch of the app (that must be acknowledged by the user), that informs the user of these settings and that there are some countries where using it might be illegal.

Describe alternatives you have considered

Most other navigation apps don't allow speed camera warnings while in Germany.
There is (as far as I know) no legal way around this problem.
The only legal alternative for me that still works with Android Auto would be to keep using Google Maps.

⚠ Have you searched for similar, already existing issues? Yes **Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.** In my legislature (Germany) it is illegal to use a device or app that warns the user about speed cameras. **Describe the ideal solution** Add a setting to disable map markers and TTS warnings for speed cameras, optionally with geofencing for a country. It might also be a good idea to add a mode to permanently disable it and showing the timestamp when it was disabled. A menu structure could look like this: "Warn about speed cameras" (selection menu): - everywhere - configure per region - never If "configure per region" is selected, show a sub menu with the list of (downloaded) map regions and provide a toggle per region. If "never" is selected in the top level setting or some regions are disabled, provide an extra button to lock the currently disabled regions. This setting should not be resettable without clearing the apps data. There should then also be a "Report" button, that lists all regions that were permanently disabled and the timestamp when they were disabled. It might also be a good idea to show a popup on launch of the app (that must be acknowledged by the user), that informs the user of these settings and that there are some countries where using it might be illegal. **Describe alternatives you have considered** Most other navigation apps don't allow speed camera warnings while in Germany. There is (as far as I know) no legal way around this problem. The only legal alternative for me that still works with Android Auto would be to keep using Google Maps.

Jean-BaptisteC commented

2024-08-13 13:31:32 +00:00

Member

Did you have checked TTS settings, we have an option to disable them.

TheM1k3y commented

2024-10-10 09:42:05 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Sorry for the long response delay.

I found the TTS setting you mentioned, but it does not really solve the underlying legal problem.

To be clear: I'm not a legal expert in any way, but the topic of speed camera warnings comes up often in automotive media and the answer is always pretty clear.

Just having an app installed that is capable of warning the user of speed cameras is illegal, even if the app is not used or (as in this case) the functionality is disabled by the user. Especially as in organic maps the voice prompts might be disabled but the icon on the map is still visible (which still counts as a speed camera warning).

I have seen some apps before that give the option of permanently disabling such functionalities as a legal workaround. I'm not qualified to determine if this actually satisfies the letter of the law, but it seems like a reasonable solution that could potentially be argued in court. That's why I proposed the additional settings.

As it stands, organic maps is the only truly open and offline navigation app I could find (that also works with android auto) and I would really like to be able to use this app legally.

Sorry for the long response delay. I found the TTS setting you mentioned, but it does not really solve the underlying legal problem. To be clear: I'm not a legal expert in any way, but the topic of speed camera warnings comes up often in automotive media and the answer is always pretty clear. Just having an app installed that is capable of warning the user of speed cameras is illegal, even if the app is not used or (as in this case) the functionality is disabled by the user. Especially as in organic maps the voice prompts might be disabled but the icon on the map is still visible (which still counts as a speed camera warning). I have seen some apps before that give the option of permanently disabling such functionalities as a legal workaround. I'm not qualified to determine if this actually satisfies the letter of the law, but it seems like a reasonable solution that could potentially be argued in court. That's why I proposed the additional settings. As it stands, organic maps is the only truly open and offline navigation app I could find (that also works with android auto) and I would really like to be able to use this app legally.

pastk commented

2025-03-04 04:07:09 +00:00

Member

changed title from Add setting to (permanently) disable speed camera warnings to Add setting to (permanently) disable speed camera warnings{+ (they're illegal in some countries)+}

changed title from **Add setting to (permanently) disable speed camera warnings** to **Add setting to (permanently) disable speed camera warnings{+ (they're illegal in some countries)+}**